Tiffany shows its sparkle

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis.

Description: The season of bling in full swing, as Tiffany reports a 14% surge in sales, and Signet gets a boost from record gold prices. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/24/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/11/24/mkts_tiffany_signet.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial results reported? Do you believe these results suggest a positive change in consumer attitude toward… Read more »

BofA in a bear trap

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis.

Description: Bank of America’s financial woes deepen, some readers of “The Buzz” believe the stock is undervalued, others remain furious at the bank. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/26/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/11/23/n_bz_bofa.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  Do you believe BofA is a bear trap? Summarize the key points presented in the report about BofA. Do you… Read more »

Rosenberg Interview on Holiday Shopping, U.S. Economy

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: David Rosenberg, chief economist at Gluskin Sheff & Associates, talks about the outlook for the holiday-shopping season. Rosenberg, speaking with Sara Eisen and Erik Schatzker on Bloomberg Television’s “InsideTrack,” also discusses the prospects for the U.S. economy. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report   Date: 11/26/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/64814870/ Questions for discussion:  Summarize the opinions presented… Read more »

Bank Dividends May Be Coming Back

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description:  JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and other large players may soon follow Comerica’s lead in boosting their quarterly payouts. Source:  Businessweek.com   Date: 11/24/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_49/b4206050293663.htm Questions for discussion:  What is the significance of the return of bank dividend payments? What advantages and disadvantages are there to the banks that decide to make dividend payments… Read more »

Taxing the Rich: It’s All Relative

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators.

Description:  IT’S not just Tea Party activists who are angry about taxes. A much larger and more diverse group appears outraged that Congress is considering allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire at year-end for families earning more than $250,000 and for individuals earning more than $200,000 Source:  NYTimes.com Date: 11/27/2010 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/business/28view.html?ref=business Questions for… Read more »

Big arrest in insider-trading investigation

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description:  First employee of ‘expert network’ in custody on conspiracy charges Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 11/24/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/arrest-in-insider-trading-investigation-2010-11-24 Questions for discussion: What are the concerns here? Is there a way to truly control the dissemination of confidential information? How should the industry and regulators deal with this concern?

Investors on thin ice

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators.

Description: LPL Financial’s chief market strategist warns of ‘below average’ economic growth heading toward the New Year. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/19/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/11/19/f_kleintop_holiday_market.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions expressed in the report. Do you agree with the arguments presented? Why do you think retail investors are continuing to flee equities? What… Read more »

Mistakes Investors Are Making Now

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description: Financial advisers say their clients are living in the past, fearful of another market collapse: They’re reluctant to invest in stocks, and they’re too heavily focused on bonds. Those are serious mistakes, advisers say. Stacey Delo reports. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 11/15/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/mistakes-investors-are-making-now/49483371-66DF-4BF2-8216-E41F33C0D6E9 Questions for discussion:  Summarize the key points presented… Read more »

Dell’s profit grows, but sales come up short

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description:  Dell Inc. reported that booming sales to businesses sharply lifted its profit last quarter, even as consumer sales disappointed. Source:  CNNMoney.com   Date: 11/18/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/18/technology/dell_earnings/index.htm Questions for discussion:  Summarize the results presented for Dell? What do these results suggest about operations? Would you be a buyer of Dell stock?

GM shares rise, but will it be enough for taxpayers?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description:  The weakening dollar could trigger a steady rise in the price of crude, sending it over $100 next year. Source:  Businessweek.com Date: 11/18/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat/archives/2010/11/gm_shares_rise_but_will_it_be_enough_for_taxpayers.html Questions for discussion: Was the government’s decision to re-finance GM a good choice financially and socially speaking? Should more shares be issued sooner or later? Do you think the… Read more »